1. The Gift You Cannot Give Yourself December 8

2. Remember … What is the best gift you have ever unwrapped? The gift of salvation is not exactly one that we unwrap – But it is the greatest gift ever given – Today we study the nature of the right relationship with God which we can receive

3. Listen for how we find out about righteousness. Romans 3:21 (NIV) But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

4. Righteousness – Not through the Law Note the starting words, “But now.” Why would these be important? What do they indicate? So, what do you think Paul was referring to when he talks about “a righteousness that is apart from the law”? What previous indication was there about the existence of the new righteousness?

5. Listen for how God’s righteousness takes effect. Romans 3:22-26 (NIV) This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.

6. Listen for how God’s righteousness takes effect. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

7. Righteousness – through Jesus Christ How does a person obtain righteousness? According to verse 24, what justifies us in God’s sight? Exactly what is justification? How could you describe or explain God’s grace to someone? Why would God offer His righteousness free to every person?

8. Righteousness – through Jesus Christ What makes it difficult for many of us to believe that we can gain God’s forgiveness by faith in Christ alone? What do you think the world would be like if God had made salvation humanly attainable?

9. Righteousness – through Jesus Christ Why do some people object to the idea that God has offered forgiveness to every person, even the worst sinners? How does providing Christ Jesus as a sacrifice demonstrate the justice of God?

10. Listen for how boasting is excluded. Romans 3:27-28 (NIV) Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. [28] For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

11. Righteousness – through Faith in Christ What ways are Christians tempted to boast? On what basis can a person brag about his or her righteousness? According to this passage, why is boasting out?

12. Righteousness – through Faith in Christ If boasting is, indeed, excluded, how should a person express his or her faith? One of the expressions of faith we said was to be a witness. How do we handle people’s attitudes of religious boasting as we share the gospel?

13. Application People have long sought after how to satisfy God and live a righteous life. – God has now revealed how that can happen. – It does not come from the law, nor the prophets, but both have told us about it. – As you read Old Testament passages, look for hints at what God was communicating

14. Application God’s righteousness has been fully revealed and demonstrated in Jesus Christ – The person who puts his/her faith in Jesus is justified, redeemed, and reconciled to God – Pray that people will see God’s righteousness at work in your life

15. Application We must choose whether we will live according to the principle of good works or the principle of faith in God – This is true for your initial salvation – Meditate this week on the fact that it can be true also in your daily living – Trust God to be your righteousness in your daily living

16. The Gift You Cannot Give Yourself December 8